Lemon Thyme Roasted Carrots

Lemon Thyme Roasted Carrots marry the natural sweetness of carrots with the bright flavor of lemon. This easy recipe is the perfect side dish. Ready in only 30 minutes!

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2018 and has been republished with all new photos.

I’ve said a hundred times (and will say two hundred more) that roasting is my absolute favorite way to prepare vegetables. It’s just such an easy way to bring out the best flavor. Add any veggies to a pan with a drizzle of oil and cook at a high temperature. You’re well on your way to a spectacular side in just a little bit of time.

Lemon Thyme Roasted Carrots require a few simple ingredients like olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and thyme. Pop them in the oven. You’ll have perfectly tender carrots in less than 30 minutes.

I want to reach into that photo right now and snag one. That color. That shine. Yep. I need to make these again tonight.

When my son was really small he could devour a pile of roasted carrots like nobody’s business. The carrot recipe I made most often was my Roasted Parsley Carrots. It wasn’t until recently that I began experimenting with different variations. Since I’m obsessed with citrus everything and can’t go a day without a fresh herb, these Lemon Thyme Roasted Carrots were obviously a hit. I’m betting they’re going to be a hit with your family too!

Whip up these carrots for a weeknight dinner or enjoy on a special occasion like Easter. I can’t imagine a more perfect Thanksgiving side dish! Put it right beside the green bean casserole and mashed potatoes.

Ingredients for Lemon Thyme Roasted Carrots

• Carrots: For best results I recommend cutting whole carrots into sticks the same size. Baby carrots don’t roast as well because you can end up with a variety of sizes in a single bag, some quite thick and some very thin. The smaller ones require a shorter cooking time than the bigger ones. The different sizes will result in uneven cooking. When you cut the carrots into sticks yourself you have control over the sizing.
• Olive oil: You’ll want to use extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil to help get our carrots perfectly tender in the oven.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a bright flavor that’s perfect with the sweetness of the carrots.
• Thyme: I love fresh thyme sprigs in this recipe but parsley will also work well. Don’t have any fresh herbs? You can use 1 to 1½ tablespoons of dried thyme if you prefer.
• Salt and pepper: Salt and black pepper are the only seasonings you need for this simple side dish.

How to Make Lemon Thyme Roasted Carrots

Cut off the carrot tops. Peel and slice carrots into sticks. Place the carrot sticks in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss carrots in olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Top with fresh thyme leaves. Place in a hot oven and roast carrots until tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Voila! I told you it’s an easy side dish!

Tips for Perfectly Roasted Carrots

• Use fresh carrots. Never frozen!
• Choose a large enough sheet pan so you can spread vegetables in a single layer. Don’t ever pile veggies on top of each other. We want them to touch the bottom of the sheet pan.
• Cut the carrots the same size so they’ll cook evenly.
• Don’t skimp on the cooking fat. For this recipe we’re using olive oil.
• Roast at a high temp. High heat gives us tender vegetables in less time. I find 425 degrees to be the perfect temperature for these carrots!

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover roasted carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Serve Roasted Carrots

Pair these yummy carrots with a main course like Lemon Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken or Easy Pan Seared Chipotle Lime Salmon. Add a side salad for the easiest way to create a beautiful meal!

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